Monterrey International Airport

The airport was inaugurated on November 25, 1970, with the landing of a Mexicana de Aviación Boeing 727. It was built to replace the nearby Del Norte International Airport, whose limited safety infrastructure and surrounding urban growth prevented further expansion. The original terminal, now referred to as Terminal A, handled 346,000 passengers during its first year of operation.^{[citation needed]}

Between 1976 and 1982, in response to Monterrey's growing economic importance, the airport underwent its first major expansion. A satellite concourse was constructed and linked to the main building via an underground corridor. By the 1990s, the airport had become a regional hub for Aerolitoral, the regional subsidiary of Aeroméxico, solidifying its role as a major transportation hub in northern Mexico.^{[citation needed]}

In the early 2000s, Monterrey served as a hub for Aviacsa, which offered significant domestic and international routes. In 2006, Viva was established in Monterrey, marking a turning point as the airport diversified its operations with the introduction of low-cost carriers and the expansion of cargo activity. Terminal C was inaugurated to accommodate the growing presence of low-cost carriers such as Interjet and Volaris.

As part of Aeroméxico's broader international strategy, the airline launched new long-haul services from Monterrey. Between 2005 and 2009, the airport offered its first transatlantic link, a nonstop flight to Madrid operated with Boeing 767 aircraft.^[4] A nonstop service to Rome was offered from 2008 to 2009.^[5][6] In 2010, Terminal B was opened to serve as a hub for Aeroméxico Connect. In 2014, Monterrey was incorporated into Aeroméxico's Asia network when the airline shifted the stopover of its Mexico City–Tokyo Narita route from Tijuana to Monterrey. A service to Seoul Incheon was added as part of Aeroméxico's Mexico City–Seoul route, stopping in Monterrey on the outbound leg (MEX–MTY–ICN), while the return flight operates nonstop to Mexico City (ICN–MEX).^[7][8]

In 2019, Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA) launched a two-phase expansion project aimed at modernizing Terminal A and increasing airport capacity. With an investment of 4,245 million pesos (approximately USD230 million), the project includes new check-in areas and three piers with additional boarding gates, expanded baggage claim zones, and enhanced security facilities.^[9] Upon completion, the airport's annual capacity is expected to increase from 11 million to 16.5 million passengers. Although originally projected for completion in 2025, the timeline remains subject to delays.^[10][11]

In July 2022, Vinci Airports acquired a 30% stake in Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA), which has operated 13 airports across northern and central Mexico since 1995. The transaction marked a significant shift in the management and international integration of Mexican airport infrastructure.^[12]

In December 2023, the extension of Metro Line 6 to Monterrey International Airport was officially announced. Construction of the new Airport Station began on April 3, 2024. The project is intended to enhance the airport's connectivity to the urban fabric of Monterrey and to support increased traffic during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.^[13]

Regional airline Aerus began operations at Monterrey International Airport in 2023, establishing a hub with domestic and short-haul international routes. In 2025, Spanish flag carrier Iberia announced the launch of a nonstop service between Monterrey and Madrid, set to begin on June 2, 2026, marking its second destination in Mexico after Mexico City.^[14][15]

The airport is located in Apodaca, Nuevo León, Mexico, at an elevation of 390 metres (1,280 ft) above mean sea level, and features two runways. The primary runway, designated 11/29, measures 3,000 by 45 metres (9,843 by 148 ft), has an asphalt surface, and is equipped with an ILS approach system, VHF omnidirectional radio range (VOR), and a DME station. The secondary runway, 16/34, measures 1,800 by 30 metres (5,906 by 98 ft), also with an asphalt surface, and is seldom used. Although the main runway can accommodate wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747-400, the airport primarily handles narrow-body operations. There are three terminals:

• Terminal A: Gates 1–14
• Terminal B: Gates B1–B16
• Terminal C: Gates 21–33

Terminal A

Terminal A is the oldest of the three. Originally built in the 1970s and later expanded, its layout includes a main building with check-in facilities, baggage claim, airline and airport offices, and various passenger services. A satellite building, accessed via an underground corridor, houses the security checkpoint, 14 boarding gates, VIP lounges, duty-free stores, customs and immigration facilities, shopping areas, and restaurants. The satellite is divided into two concourses: the North Concourse, which includes gates 1, 2, 9, and 10 on the upper level and gates 11–14 on the ground floor, serving domestic flights; and the South Concourse (gates 3–8), dedicated to international operations.

Passengers in Terminal A have access to lounges including the American Express Centurion Lounge, Salón Beyond by Citibanamex, and the OMA Premium Lounge. Airlines operating from this terminal include Volaris, Magnicharters, Air Canada, American Airlines, American Eagle, Copa Airlines, Mexicana, United Airlines, and United Express.

Terminal B

Opened in September 2010, Terminal B is a two-story facility with 16 gates, six of which are equipped with jet bridges, and multiple apron positions for smaller aircraft. Designed to handle up to 2 million passengers annually, the terminal provides standard services such as check-in areas, a security checkpoint, departure concourse, duty-free stores, baggage claim, taxi stands, and car rental counters. VIP services include the Salón Premier of Aeroméxico on the ground floor, an American Express Centurion Lounge on the landside, and the OMA Premium Lounge.

This terminal functions as a hub for SkyTeam carriers, including Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, and Delta Air Lines. It is also used by regional operators such as TAR Aerolíneas and Aerus.

Terminal C

Opened on November 30, 2006, Terminal C serves as the primary hub for Viva. The terminal consists of a single-story building with essential facilities. The departures area includes check-in counters, a security checkpoint, and a departure concourse with amenities such as a duty-free store, an OMA Premium Lounge, and a food court. Arrival facilities include customs and immigration processing, car rental services, and taxi stands. Terminal C houses gates 27–33 and connects to a newly built pier with gates 21–26.

Monterrey Airport is located 28 kilometres (17 mi) northeast of downtown Monterrey and is accessible solely by road. Local bus, shuttle, and taxi services, as well as long-distance bus services to cities in Nuevo León, Coahuila, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, and Texas, are available. Travel time by car from the city center typically ranges from 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic conditions. The airport offers extensive short- and long-term parking facilities, and each terminal has multiple taxi and car rental service counters.^{[citation needed]}

Local bus

The Ruta Express, a public bus line, operates from the airport to Y-Griega Station on Line 1 of the Monterrey Metro.^[75] Grupo Senda operates services to both Y-Griega and San Jerónimo Bus Station, while Noreste runs hourly buses from the Airport to the Central Bus Station. There are two main bus stops at the airport: one between Terminals A and B, and another in front of Terminal C. Tickets can be purchased at terminal information desks (130 MXN) or online (110 MXN). Travel time to the Central Bus Station, located approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) northwest of Macroplaza, is around 60 minutes. From there, passengers can transfer to the Metro or long-distance buses.

• On February 11, 2010, MexicanaClick de Aviación Flight 7222, operated by Fokker 100 XA-SHJ, suffered an undercarriage malfunction on approach to Quetzalcóatl International Airport, Nuevo Laredo. A low fly-past confirmed that both main gears had not deployed. The aircraft diverted to Monterrey. It was substantially damaged in the landing, having departed the runway and spun through 180°.^[76]
• On April 13, 2010, an Aerounion – Aerotransporte de Carga Union Airbus A-300B4-200, registration XA-TUE performing a freight flight, AeroUnion Flight 302 from Mexico (Mexico) to Monterrey (Mexico) with five crew, crashed on approach to land on General Mariano Escobedo International Airport's runway 11. The aircraft came to rest on a highway at around 23:30L (04:30Z Apr 14). All on board died, one person in a truck on the highway was also reported killed, and the airplane was destroyed after a large fire broke out.^[77]
• On November 24, 2010, a Mexican Air Force AN-32 cargo flight crashed when taking off from General Mariano Escobedo International Airport for a flight to Mexico City. All five crew members died.^{[citation needed]}
• On December 9, 2012, a Learjet 25 carrying Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera and four other passengers, and two crew crashed seven minutes after take-off, while on its way to Toluca. All seven occupants died.^[78]

• List of the busiest airports in Mexico
• List of airports in Mexico
• List of airports by ICAO code: M
• List of busiest airports in North America
• List of the busiest airports in Latin America
• Transportation in Mexico
• Tourism in Mexico
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